Cleaning assurance for reusable plastic packaging using ultraviolet induced fluorescence

Implementing reusable packaging systems is one approach that could reduce the global consumption of single use plastics. Clearly, it is important to ensure that reusable packaging undergoes a process of cleanliness assurance before it is refilled. This research seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of an optical sensing technique to provide this assurance for polymer drinks bottles. An ultraviolet illumination source is used to induce fluorescence in both common polymer and fouling samples. The responses, captured by digital imaging, are processed to determine features that can be used to differentiate the packaging and fouling substances. Variation in signal intensity and differences in responses in the red, green and blue channels are identified as suitable features to enable detection of foulin

Can fitness tests be used to predict the vascular health of physically active older adults?

Objective There is an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases among older adults. This research aimed to determine which fitness tests could predict the vascular health of older adults using the gold standard pulse wave velocity (PWV) (applanation tonometry). Methods This cross-sectional study analysed 81 physically active adults (n=57 females) aged 64-91 (M=78±6.42) residing in independent living communities. A four-component fitness test included the 4-stage balance test (balance and falling assessment), six-minute walk test (SMWT) (aerobic exercise capacity), 30-second sit-to-stand test (postural hypotension and falling assessment), and the grip strength test (upper body strength) along with a PWV measurement. A regression use the four fitness tests as predictors of PWV for all participants. Pearson correlations then analysed these variables by subgroups of sex and age. Results When including all 81 participants, the four component fitness test significantly accounted for 20% of the variance in PWV (R2=.20; F(4,76)=4.70, p=.002) among older adults. Of the four components, higher sit-to-stand scores correlated with having healthy arteries (β=-.27, p=.027), but higher grip strength scores correlated with having unhealthy arteries (β=.23, p=.036). Neither the SMWT nor the balance test significantly contributed to the regression model. Pearson correlations indicated for men that better balance correlated significantly with healthy arteries (r=-.47, p=.011). For women, higher sit-to-stand scores (r=-.43, p ≤.001) and better balance (r=-.23, p=.045) correlated significantly with healthy arteries. Among 70-79 year olds, higher sit-to-stand scores (r=-.41, p =.002) and better balance (r=-.32, p=.014) correlated significantly with healthy arteries. Among 80-89 year olds, higher SMWT (r=-.40, p =.024) correlated significantly with healthy arteries. Conclusions The four-component fitness test did significantly predict arterial stiffness in older adults, but grip strength scores were unexpectedly negatively related to healthy arteries whereas sit-to-stand was positively related. In most groups, better balance and higher sit-to-stand scores were correlated to healthy arteries which was somewhat surprising. Finally, older participants were the only subgroup which showed a correlation between healthier arteries and higher SMWT scores. Given the SMWT is an aerobic exercise capacity assessment, it is surprising it did not correlate stronger to PWV

Investigating the relationships between lifestyle physical activity and diet on vascular health among older adults

Purpose This research aimed to investigate how behaviours of lifestyle physical activity (PA) and diet predict and correlate with vascular health in older adults using the gold standard measure of pulse wave velocity (PWV). Methods This cross-sectional study analysed 83 adults aged 64-91 years (M=78±6.44) residing in independent living communities. Dietary questions were taken from the Harvard disease risk tool. The Yale physical activity survey allowed the calculation of metabolic equivalents of task (METmins). PWV was collected using a non-invasive device (applanation tonometry). A hierarchical regression was calculated whereby covariates of taking blood pressure medication (BPM) and age (both known to affect PWV) were controlled in model 1 and diet and METmins were added into model 2. Pearson correlations were then calculated to determine individual correlations with PWV by subgroups of sex and age. Results The model 1 regression (R²=.29; F(2,79)=16.00, p<.001) indicated that covariates of BPM and age accounted for 29% (p≤.000) of the variance in PWV, but when diet and METmins were added in model 2 (R²=.31; F(4,77)=8.56, p<.001) they only contributed 2% more (non-significant change, p=.35) to the prediction of PWV. Healthier arteries in males correlated significantly with higher METmins (r=-.54, p=.004) and younger participants (r=.40, p=.027). Healthier arteries in females correlated significantly with younger participants (r=.49, p=.000), no BPM (r=.36, p=.002), and higher METmins (r=-.25, p=.029). Among 64-78 year olds, healthier arteries were correlated with no BPM (r=.35, p=.011), and healthier diets (r=-.26, p=.046), but not with METmins. Alternatively, 79-91 year-olds showed healthier arteries correlated with higher METmins (r=-.36, p=.012), but not with diet. Conclusions After controlling for age and BPM (model 1) in the regression, diet and METmins (model 2) were unable to significantly contribute to the prediction of arterial stiffness in older adults. Both males and females showed correlations between healthier arteries and higher METmins, but not between arterial health and diet, suggesting LPA is more correlated to arterial health than diet. Those aged 64-78 had healthy arteries in correlation with a healthy diet, whereas 79-91 year olds had healthy arteries in correlation with higher METmins

Navigating Transparent Pork Production: Analyzing Visual Attention of The Maschhoffs Website

When it comes to food, consumers are increasingly concerned with the welfare of the livestock used to produce it. To display transparency and build trust with patrons, businesses such as The Maschhoffs, a pork production company, have created online tools to answer questions about production processes. This study implemented eye tracking and survey methodologies to attain insight regarding the visual attention of website visitors. While results revealed no discernable pattern of navigation among respondents, the findings illustrated a sector of the pork industry consumers expressed interest in was the breed-to-wean section of the farm. Researchers encourage agricultural communicators to develop messaging surrounding this specific process to continue building trust with consumer audiences as well as make recommendations for utilizing eye tracking to assess visual attention to websites

The Mechanistic Roots of Occasionalism: Stage One

What is Occasionalism? Occasionalism is the doctrine about causal efficacy that exploits the non-observational nature of causation. We observe a prior and a posterior state of the universe, and discern the difference between them. But we cannot observe the force or power causally necessitating the change

Perfectionism and exam performance: The mediating effect of task-approach goals

Perfectionistic strivings are positively correlated with students’ achievement goals and exam performance. However, so far no study has employed a prospective design investigating whether achievement goals mediate the positive relationship between perfectionistic strivings and exam performance. In the present study, 100 university students completed a measure of self-oriented perfectionism and socially prescribed perfectionism (Hewitt & Flett, 1991) and received a chapter from a textbook to study for 2-4 days. Then they returned to the lab to complete a measure of achievement goals following the 3 x 2 model (Elliot, Murayama, & Pekrun, 2011) and sit a mock exam testing their knowledge of the chapter. Multiple regressions showed that socially prescribed perfectionism negatively predicted exam performance when the overlap with self-oriented perfectionism was controlled for. In contrast, self-oriented perfectionism—a defining indicator of perfectionistic strivings—positively predicted exam performance. Moreover, task-approach goals mediated the positive relationship between self-oriented perfectionism and exam performance. The findings suggest that perfectionistic strivings make students adopt task-approach goals that help them achieve better results on exams

It Takes a Village: UN Peace Operations and Social Networks in Post-conflict Environments

Why civil society organizations (CSOs) so often are unable to make a difference during the transition process to peace despite the widespread recognition of their potential role in fostering peace? I argue that the involvement and contributions of local civil society organizations and women’s organizations (WOs) in post-conflict peacebuilding should be understood in terms of social networks and connections that emerge in the peacebuilding process. Both linking and bridging social capital shape social interactions essential for successful post-conflict reconstruction. Yet, external actors often implement policies that strengthen hierarchical networks at the expense of horizontal networks; thus, undermining the creation of bridging social capital. To explore the types of networks that emerge in post-conflict reconstruction I use semi-structured interviews conducted in Liberia. The evidence suggests that emerging horizontal networks are more robust in areas where local communities and women have a tradition of organizing. However, these networks remain fairly unstable. The assistance is mostly channeled centrally strengthening hierarchical ties and leading to distortions in the distribution of resources. This type of external intervention has negative implications and hinders bridging social networks even when these networks are present